Seventeenth+Welsh+7

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. //**What does the 17th Amendment say?**// · Senators will be elected directly by the people · Each state gets 2 senators · A senator's term lasts 6 years · If there is a vacancy in the senate then that state’s governor chooses someone to fill the spot media type="teachertube" key="c719c4a9f565a742d78f" width="400" height="350"
 * //The 17th Amendment to the US Constitution//**:

· Part of Congress (legislative branch) · Each state gets 2 senators no matter what the population is · Make bills which may turn into laws |]] a copy of the 17th amendment the Capitol building is where the Senate meets. -This video explains the braches of the white house and parts of the senate -[|senator video]
 * //What is a senator?//**

//**When was the 17th amendment passed?**// · Passed by House of Representatives on June 12, 1911 · Passed by Senate on May 13, 1912 · Ratified on April 8, 1913 http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data/constitution/amendment17/

//**Why was the 17th amendment created?**// · Not every state was sending 2 senators to Washington D.C. in time for the start of their term · Not every state had the same way of electing senators · Voters sent a petition to Congress proposing direct election of senators · In the early 1900’s many states began to have direct election of senators · An amendment for direct election of senators was proposed every year from 1823-1902 - it allowed senators to be elected freely and let them be replaced when needed - So power didn't change bewteen balances · Government officials thought the people were capable of choosing people to represent their own state http://www.articlev.com/repeal_the_17th_amendment.htm

//**How did senators used to be elected?**// · Until the early 1900’s the state legislature chose senators - They were not voted by the people -**some people think the amendment was part of "progressive movement" -some people think the 17th amendment is the effect of the problems in the legislature that the Constitution created -some people want the 17th amendment repealed - the federal government was meant to be in control of on legislative house (modeled after the British Parliament)
 * //How do people feel about the 17th amendment today? the Senate Chamber//


 * //How do the issues which prompted the creation of the amendments compare with the issues they are applied to today?//**

Before the 17th Amendment was passed, the governors of each state would select 2 Senators for their state. The people would not vote for Senators. Since the governors chose the Senators, some people who wanted to be a Senator would try to bribe the governor of their state. This turned into a huge problem because 1 out of every 3 senators had gotten chosen because they were wealthy or they were close with the governor of their state. If someone who bribed the governor became a Senator, they may have taken the seat of someone who would have been a better Senator, but didn’t bribe the governor. It was finally decided that the people of each state should be able to vote for their own Senators, and the 17th Amendment was passed. This applies to issues today because people feel that it is important to vote for Senators. Many people want to have a say in who represents their state in Congress. They want to know that they have Senators who will do their job well, not Senators who are friends with the governor of their state.


 * //Works Cited://**

1. http://156.33.195.33/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Direct_Election_Senators.htm 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventeenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution 3. http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.amendmentxvii.html 4. http://archives.cnn.com/2002/LAW/09/17/fl.dean.17th.amendment/index.html 5. http://www.articlev.com/repeal_the_17th_amendment.htm 6. http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=c719c4a9f565a742d78f 7. Social Studies textbook
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 * Current Events:**

by Bert Case Mississippi senator Trent Lott has retired. Lott’s seat in the senate is now empty, and needs to be filled. The 17th amendment states that in the case of a vacancy in the senate, the executive authority of the state (the governor) chooses candidates to fill the vacancy in the senate, and an election in that state will be held. The governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour, wants the election to be held on November 4th because that is the day of the regular senate elections which will be held this year. Barbour says that the election should be held when there will be the most people going to vote. The 17th Amendment also states that the legislature of the state can overpower the governor’s decision and appoint someone until the vacancy is filled by an election. Attorney General Jim Hood says that the election should take place within 90 days of the legislature’s appointment. The election will be decided on by the state Supreme Court. I think that the election should be sooner than November 4. If there is gong to be 11 months until an election, then the state legislature should find a replacement. If the state of Mississippi is short one senator they will have less representation in the senate. Most people would want equal representation. On the other hand, if the election is in November, more people will show up to vote, and the 17th amendment is all about direct election of senators by the people. -Jen To read this article, click here: [|AG Challenges Timing of Senate Election]
 * AG Challenges Timing of Senate Election**

by David Chen John Corzine has been elected to be governor of New Jersey. This leaves the spot for senator open. This means John Corzine must pick a congressman to be senator. For months several congressman who wanted to be senator were competing against each other. He decided to pick Robert Menendez to replace him. Robert Menendez will finish the rest of Corzine's term which is a year and may possibly run for a six year term.
 * Corzine is Said to Have Picked Replacement**

I think it is a good idea to make the governor choose the congressman when the job is vacant. This way the governor can choose a person thinks the same as him. For example, if a senator wanted to fix schools and he was chosen to be governor he could choose a congressman who wanted to fix schools. This way the senator can follow the same way the old one did. They also would not have to count up all the peoples votes. It would probably save more time. Having the 17th amendment is a good thing because it saves time and people running for senate won't have to spend money for commercials and ads a couple years in advance. -Peter

To read the article go to http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/08/politics/08senate.html

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